PASS scheme will help pubs to cut underage drinking
Difficulties in weeding out underage customers are set to become a thing of the past following the launch of a pioneering new scheme.
From now on, all proof-of-age schemes will need to be accredited by the government which has set strict criteria for card issuers. Accredited schemes will display a PASS holographic logo which cannot be copied by fraudsters.
This will be a major help to licensees who will simply have to look for the PASS logo rather than determine whether one of the dozens of proof-of-age cards currently held by young people is bona fide.
The scheme, engineered by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), will be phased in during 2004, allowing cards to be accredited and re-printed with the PASS logo.
BRC chairman David Felwick said: "Licensees have always taken their responsibilities in preventing underage sales of age-restricted products seriously. Finding themselves in the role of unofficial policemen, licensees need a reliable and credible means of proof of age in order to protect the honest trader."
Licensees have faced a constant battle in determining the age of young people who often look older than their years.
Youngsters often carry fake identity cards to buy alcohol, yet licensees have no defence if they or their barstaff are caught selling to under-18s and stand to lose their licence.
The Portman Group's proof-of-age scheme Prove It! is up for acceptance by the government.
Chief executive Jean Coussins said: "Half a million Prove It! Cards have been issued since its launch in 1990. We know that almost three-quarters of a million young people will be turning 18 in 2003. Together with changes to the licensing laws, this new scheme will encourage many more of them to carry the card and also convince licensees to ask for proof-of-age more routinely."
But Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, believes that the government needs to look at bringing in a national identity card scheme.
He said: "We think it is important that the government issues a national identity scheme. It will prevent fraud and benefit the licensees when customers use credit cards or cheques."
